The 2011 Cuvee Elizabeth is one of the finest Pinots I’ve tasted from the vintage. The depth of bright red fruit at the center of this wine is instantly compelling and  is driven by a youthful acidity that should carry it along for many years, providing immense pleasure as things integrate further. In the glass, the wine is a seductive crimson hue that matches the captivating mixture of cranberry, ripe raspberry and baking spices on the plentiful nose. Tasting this profound wine in its youth, its still primarily driven by its fruit. The vivid raspberry and cranberry persist on the palate, joined by pomegranate, spiced cherries and hints of black tea and rhubarb that should develop as the wine is cellared, peaking around 2018, in our estimate.

Occidental Winery

Occidental is the new project from Steve Kistler, founder of Kistler Vineyards. The new project is being spun off of Kistler Vineyards, starting with the Cuvee Catherine and Cuvee Elizabeth Pinot Noir bottlings in 2011.